Picture: The Deputy Minister of Police, Polly Boshielo
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 December 2024- The Deputy Minister of Police, Polly Boshielo, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP), will on Saturday, be joined by both the national and provincial management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to support and assess the implementation of the 2024/2025 annual Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela in the Bojanala District.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the objective of the ministerial visit is to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in improving the performance in dealing with the root causes of crime.
“This includes fighting against crime and corruption in relation to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster outcome. This is to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe.
“The community will be given a platform to discuss
and engage with Boshielo and SAPS on solutions and interventions to address their crime-related concerns,” she said.
Myburgh further said the event will take place at 10111 Centre, Phokeng on Saturday at 8:30am.
Picture: Team North West during National School Sports Championships/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 December 2024- Team North West was amongst young sports men and women who showcased their talent and ability during the National School Sports Championships that was held at Pretoria from 13 until 17 November 2024. Despite the slow start that Team North West displayed on day one of the games, their competitive spirits came out guns blazing in the coming days of the games.
The Chief Director of Sports and Recreation at the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, George Marindi said it is evident on the number of games the teams triumphant over. Marindi said the Team North West may have received the overall position 4, but their dedication, passion and resilience on the field was nothing short of amazing.
“These young boys and girls are role models, who inspire other kids to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle within communities and schools they come from.
“The department is proud of the efforts, skills and comradery displayed during the championships. We urge our communities to celebrate their achievements with them as well,” he said.
North West was amongst eight provinces that participated in the National championships.
Meanwhile, the acting Deputy Director General for National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Tebogo Thebehae also expressed his gratitude for the attendance.
“We have a total of 1400 learners from across the country to participate in these games. We have seen great talent displayed, fairness, equality and consistency in scoring.
“Future Olympians are amongst us here in these games who will fly the South African Flag high. I would like to encourage them to work very hard and ensure that they work harder than before with dedication and discipline,” said Thebehae.
He further said the sporting codes such as volleyball, abled and wheelchair basketball, abled and wheelchair tennis, table tennis, rugby, goal ball, soft ball, were in full display. Thebehae added that softball ladies from North West, who made it to the SA squad are Carla Maree and Miela Sittert.
“The softball boys also got a call to play for the national squad namely, Franco Steyn, Thabo Mangati, and Themba Molebatsi. Reotshepile Ditlhake and Olerato Malatsi were selected to join basketball SA U/15 team.
“One boy and one girl from North West, were also selected to join Wheelchair Basketball National team. Provinces standings announced during the 2024 National School Sport Championships closing ceremony were as follows:
8th Position- Northern Cape
7th Position- Eastern Cape
6th Position- Mpumalanga
6th Position- Free State
5th Position- Limpopo
4th Position- North West: 3 bronze, 2 Silvers and 1 Gold. 3rd Position- Western Cape: 5 Bronze,3 Silvers and 2 Gold.
Picture: The community members submit memorandum of demand at Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
24 December 2024- The community of Christiana said poor service delivery in their area is one of the contributing factors to ongoing socio-economic challenges they are subjected to. The community members embarked on a peaceful march and handed over their memorandum of demand to the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality on Monday.
According to one of the community leaders, Matshidiso Yanda, they have been confronted with continuous lack of basic needs and this forced the community to bear the brunt. Yanda said most of their community members live beyond the poverty line and lack of service delivery worsen the situation.
“As the concerned community members, we demand urgent improvement of basic services. We, the undersigned members of the community, submit this memorandum to express our deep concerns and dissatisfaction with the inadequate provision of essential services, particularly water and electricity within our community.
“These shortcomings have caused significant hardships, disrupted livelihoods, and undermined our basic human rights as enshrined in the constitution of South Africa,” she said.
Yanda further said the key issues are irregular water supply, frequent water cuts without prior notice. She added that there are allegations that, municipality provides poor water quality with reports of contamination.
“Inadequate maintenance of water infrastructure also leads to leaks and wastage of water. Another challenge is an unreliable electricity supply, regular power outages in Geluksoord and all its sections beyond the national load-shedding schedule,” said Yanda.
She said there is a failure to repair or upgrade aging electrical infrastructure and demand water services. Yanda said they demand immediate implementation of a reliable water supply schedule to ensure residents have access to water daily.
“Conduct routine quality testing of water to ensure compliance with health standards. Repair and upgrade water infrastructure to ensure compliance with sufficient supply.
“The municipality should expedite the full restoration and function of electricity in all sections of Geluksoord without any interruption. Ensure repairs and maintenance of electrical infrastructure outages,” she said.
Yanda said they demand a candid and honest report as to what is the impediment in the efficient supply of electricity in the above-mentioned sections. She urged the municipality to host regular community meetings to update residents on progress and plans regarding service delivery.
“Establish a dedicated hotline for reporting and resolving service issues promptly. Publish detailed reports on the municipal budget allocated for water and electricity.
“We request that the municipality provide a detailed response to this memorandum including a concrete action plan within a space of three days. Failure to address our concerns will leave us with no choice, but to escalate this matter through lawful and peaceful means,” she said.
Yanda said access to clean water and electricity is not a privilege, but a basic right. She urged the municipality to act with urgency and responsibility to restore these essential services and uphold the dignity of their community.
Meanwhile, a Manager of Community Services at Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, Serame Lesie said: “We have accepted and acknowledged the memorandum of the community. Indeed, we will respond accordingly in three day- time.”
Picture: A crime scene, where a man is accused of killing his mother in Shaleng village, near Taung
By REGINALD KANYANE
24 December 2024- The police in Northern Cape said the policing of contact crimes remains a priority for them, especially during the festive season period. The police said against this backdrop, communities are urged to adhere to and implement the following safety hints to prevent falling victim to contact crimes during the holidays and beyond.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock urged community members to stay alert – awareness is their best defence. Kock said taking self-defence lessons is a valuable option.
“Always leave venues with friends wherever possible. Never go to the bathroom alone, always use a buddy system at public venues. Never accept drinks or lifts from strangers. Always stay in well-lit areas and never walk alone in secluded areas.
“Travel as if you know where you are going. Take the most direct route and try to stay within areas where other people are around. Trust your instincts – if you think something is wrong then act on it,” he said.
Kock further said people should avoid flashing valuable items as it attracts criminals for robbery and sexual assault. He added that people should have their keys available when they reach their home or car.
“Keep money for transport and plan in advance – the expense is worth it. Carry a personal alarm and use it when necessary. If you are a victim- get help immediately. Make as much noise as you can to alert people when you are in trouble. If you have been attacked, do not shower or change your clothes as it may destroy evidence.
“Always give the police all the details you have about the area and suspect if you are a victim of contact crimes. If you have had your keys taken, robbed or lost, ensure you change the locks. Drink responsibly and refrain from excessive alcohol consumption– you need to give a clear account of what happened,” said Kock.
He said people should never leave their drink unattended as it could be tampered with, leaving you a victim of date rape. Kock said people should stay alert and safe.
“Do not physically intervene in fights – you could get hurt yourself, rather call the police. If it is safe to do so, take a photograph or video on your mobile phone. Remember, the police are likely to need your phone as evidence.
“Record details of times, number plates, descriptions and so on. If you do not have a pen with you, leave a voicemail message on your mobile phone or write a draft text message. Immediately get out of any abusive relationship and contact family or police,” he said.
Kock said people should always have an emergency contact on speed dial. He said they should call their nearest police station or 10111 when they find themselves in a dangerous situation.
“Call Stop Gender Violence Helpline 0800 150 150 or report GBVF crime to the MySAPS app,” said Kock.
24 December 2024- On 13 September 2024, the Republic of South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. Ramaphosa said this Act is vital to the transformation of the education system in the country.
He further said the Act is an important part of ongoing efforts to build an education system that is more effective and more equitable in line with the precepts of the constitution. Ramaphosa added that the BELA Act continues the work that has been done over the last 30 years to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education – from their early years and throughout their schooling.
“As a democratic country committed to building a new society, we have stated unequivocally that all children must get an education that prepares them to succeed in life, no matter what the circumstances of their birth might be, no matter where they live, no matter what language they speak.
“In implementing this Act, we are all ultimately guided by the constitution. The Bill of Rights guarantees the right of every person to equality. It guarantees the right of every person to receive a basic education,” he said.
Ramaphosa said importantly, the constitution says that every person has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice, where reasonably practicable. He said this is a right that applies equally to an English-speaker as it does a Zulu-speaker.
“It applies equally to someone who speaks Afrikaans as it does to someone who speaks Xitsonga, Sesotho, Sepedi, isiXhosa, Setswana, Tshivenda, isiNdebele or siSwati. And now, it also applies equally to someone who uses the South African Sign Language.
“The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act enacts measures that strengthen the ability of our schools to give effect to these Constitutional rights. In the application of this law, we must ensure that no language is diminished,” said Ramaphosa.
He said rather, they must work to ensure that all official languages are valued and promoted. Ramaphosa said at the time that he assented to the BELA Bill, he noted that a number of parties to the Government of National Unity (GNU), and other key role players in the country had expressed their wish to further engage each other on sections of the bill that deal with issues of admission and language.
“I said that whilst I had assented to the Bill, in the spirit of cooperation and meaningful engagement, I would delay the implementation date of the BELA Act in totality by three months. This would give the parties time to deliberate on these issues and make proposals on how the divergent views may be accommodated.
“I also said should the parties not agree on an approach at the end of the three-month period, I would then direct the Minister and the Department to proceed with the implementation of the Act. Over the last three months, discussions have been held with a view of reaching consensus on these outstanding clauses of the BELA Act,” he said.
Ramaphosa said various formations outside of government have also made representations, both for and against the relevant sections. He said last week, he received a report from the GNU ‘clearing house’ mechanism.
“This is the structure which brings together the parties to the GNU and other parties represented in Parliament to deal with contentious issues and thereafter report to the leaders of the political parties represented in the GNU.
“In their final report, the parties agreed that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act should not be sent back to Parliament to make changes to the sections that were in contention,” said Ramaphosa.
The Guardian 